Colossians RemixedColossians RemixedSubverting the Empire: Session 4Subverting the Empire: Session 4

Opening Prayer: We also live double livesOpening Prayer: We also live double lives

(Walter (Walter BrueggemannBrueggemann, , Awed to Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth,Heaven, Rooted in Earth, p. 30)p. 30)

TargumTargum on Colossians 2:8on Colossians 2:8--3:43:4Why the focus on idolatry?Why the focus on idolatry?““What went wrong, then? Why are the powers so What went wrong, then? Why are the powers so threatening? What went wrong was that human beings threatening? What went wrong was that human beings gave up their responsibility for Godgave up their responsibility for God’’s world and handed s world and handed their power over to the powers. When humans refuse to their power over to the powers. When humans refuse to use Goduse God’’s gift of sexuality responsibly, they are s gift of sexuality responsibly, they are handing over their power to Aphrodite, and she will handing over their power to Aphrodite, and she will take control. When humans refuse to use Godtake control. When humans refuse to use God’’s gift of s gift of money responsibly, they are handing over their power money responsibly, they are handing over their power to Mammon, and he will take control. And so on. And to Mammon, and he will take control. And so on. And when the powers take over, human beings get crushed. when the powers take over, human beings get crushed. (Conversely, when you see human beings getting (Conversely, when you see human beings getting crushed, itcrushed, it’’s usually because there are powers at work s usually because there are powers at work that humans are powerless to stop.)that humans are powerless to stop.)”” (N. T. Wright as (N. T. Wright as quoted on p. 142)quoted on p. 142)

Idolatry (pp. 142 Idolatry (pp. 142 –– 143)143)In ColossiansIn Colossians

A philosophy that takes A philosophy that takes captives (Col. 2:8)captives (Col. 2:8)““Empty deceitEmpty deceit”” (Col. 2:8)(Col. 2:8)

““Human traditionHuman tradition”” (Col. 2:8), (Col. 2:8), ““human way of thinkinghuman way of thinking””(Col. 2:18), (Col. 2:18), ““human human commands & teachingscommands & teachings””(Col. 2:20)(Col. 2:20)““Puffed up without causePuffed up without cause””(Col. 2:18) & deceives (Col. 2:18) & deceives ““with with plausible argumentsplausible arguments”” (Col. (Col. 2:4)2:4)

Biblical Biblical MetanarrativeMetanarrativeNo capacity to repent or No capacity to repent or know God (know God (HosHos. 5:4). 5:4)Those who worship idols Those who worship idols become worthless become worthless themselves (Is. 44:9)themselves (Is. 44:9)Idols are made by human Idols are made by human beings (Ps. 115:4)beings (Ps. 115:4)

Uncomprehending minds (Is. Uncomprehending minds (Is. 44:18)44:18)

Idolatry Continued (pp. 142 Idolatry Continued (pp. 142 –– 143)143)ColossiansColossians

Regulations of idolatry Regulations of idolatry ““are of no value in are of no value in checking selfchecking self--indulgenceindulgence””(Col. 2:23)(Col. 2:23)Insists on selfInsists on self--abasement abasement (Col. 2:18) & (Col. 2:18) & ““severe severe treatment of the bodytreatment of the body””(Col. 2:23)(Col. 2:23)Christ Christ ““disarmed the disarmed the rulers & authorities & rulers & authorities & made a public example of made a public example of them, triumphing over them, triumphing over them in itthem in it”” (Col. 2:15)(Col. 2:15)

Biblical Biblical MetanarrativeMetanarrative

Confer no benefits (Confer no benefits (JerJer. 2:11). 2:11)

Exchange GodExchange God’’s glory for s glory for shame & humiliation (shame & humiliation (HosHos. . 13:213:2--3)3)

God doesnGod doesn’’t compete with t compete with idols (Is. 42:8)idols (Is. 42:8)

Concluding Thoughts on 3Concluding Thoughts on 3rdrd TargumTargum

Hebrew Bible emphasizes the Creator has Hebrew Bible emphasizes the Creator has every right to be worshippedevery right to be worshipped

Paul exalts Christ as the Creator of the Paul exalts Christ as the Creator of the thrones, dominions, rulers & powers of thrones, dominions, rulers & powers of this worldthis world

Idolatry is always a danger when the Idolatry is always a danger when the covenant and its promises have been covenant and its promises have been forgotten (Deut. 8:11forgotten (Deut. 8:11--19)19)

Focus on Col. 3:1Focus on Col. 3:1--1717

Postmodern approach to praxisPostmodern approach to praxisInability to weigh ethical choices Inability to weigh ethical choices Decision Decision paralysis paralysis Decisions by proxyDecisions by proxy

Decisions by proxy = Authoritarians & DictatorsDecisions by proxy = Authoritarians & Dictators

Nihilism or viewpoint that there is no Nihilism or viewpoint that there is no objective truth or basis for making ethical objective truth or basis for making ethical decisionsdecisions

Embracing chaosEmbracing chaos

““Disorientation is virtuous, because any vision of Disorientation is virtuous, because any vision of life that would provide a legitimating orientation life that would provide a legitimating orientation will invariably oppress.will invariably oppress.”” (David Lyon as quoted (David Lyon as quoted on p. 151)on p. 151)

Col. 3:1Col. 3:1--17 & the Postmodern View17 & the Postmodern View

Appears to be about a different worldAppears to be about a different world

““Loathes the human bodyLoathes the human body””

““An absolutist worldviewAn absolutist worldview””

A totalitarian regimeA totalitarian regime

Is this good news for Is this good news for postmodernspostmoderns??

What is Paul Doing Here?What is Paul Doing Here?First part of Colossians used to reveal this type First part of Colossians used to reveal this type of lifeof life--destroying philosophydestroying philosophy

Colossians have died to this type of philosophy Colossians have died to this type of philosophy and have been made alive in Christand have been made alive in Christ

Now have an embodied spirituality in ChristNow have an embodied spirituality in Christ““from whom the whole body, nourished and held from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from Godgrowth that is from God”” (Col. 2:19)(Col. 2:19)

““the head of the body, the churchthe head of the body, the church”” (Col. 1:18)(Col. 1:18)

Reminds us Reminds us

Based in bodily resurrection of Christ (Col. 3:1)Based in bodily resurrection of Christ (Col. 3:1)

CaesarChrist EmpireChurch

Why Why ““Seek the things that are aboveSeek the things that are above””??The things above are The things above are ““where Christ is, seated at the where Christ is, seated at the right hand of Godright hand of God”” (Col. 3:1)(Col. 3:1)This is about the risen, ascended ChristThis is about the risen, ascended ChristRule of Christ is not apparent, certainly not to the rulers Rule of Christ is not apparent, certainly not to the rulers & authorities under Christ& authorities under Christ’’s dominion (Ps. 110:1, Col. s dominion (Ps. 110:1, Col. 2:15)2:15)

““All ready, but not yetAll ready, but not yet”” qualityquality

Story of ascension is the way the church talks about Story of ascension is the way the church talks about Jesus as LordJesus as Lord““Praxis has everything to do with Praxis has everything to do with sovereigntysovereignty..”” (p. 154)(p. 154)““Seeking that which is above is a matter not of Seeking that which is above is a matter not of becoming heavenly minded but of allowing the becoming heavenly minded but of allowing the liberating rule of Christ to transform every dimension of liberating rule of Christ to transform every dimension of your life.your life.”” (p. 155)(p. 155)

What Sort of Ethic Is This? (pp. 156 What Sort of Ethic Is This? (pp. 156 –– 159)159)Resurrection Ethic Resurrection Ethic –– recognizes only Christ as Lordrecognizes only Christ as LordAscension Ethic Ascension Ethic –– can see the hidden reign of Christcan see the hidden reign of ChristLiberated Ethic Liberated Ethic –– tends to a broken worldtends to a broken worldEschatological Ethic Eschatological Ethic –– looks forward in hope to the looks forward in hope to the visible reign of Christvisible reign of ChristRelational Ethic Relational Ethic –– identifies oneidentifies one’’s life with/in Christ (Col. s life with/in Christ (Col. 2:92:9--15)15)Narrative Ethic Narrative Ethic –– adopted by the story of Christ who adopted by the story of Christ who fulfilled the story of Israelfulfilled the story of Israel

““DiedDied”” (Col. 3:3)(Col. 3:3)““Buried with himBuried with him”” (Col. 2:12)(Col. 2:12)““Raised with ChristRaised with Christ”” (Col. 3:1)(Col. 3:1)

Secession Ethic Secession Ethic –– replace selfreplace self--gratification & selfgratification & self--annihilation with caring concern for others & creationannihilation with caring concern for others & creation

Sexuality and the Ethic of SecessionSexuality and the Ethic of Secession““Put to deathPut to death……whatever in you is earthlywhatever in you is earthly”” (Col. (Col. 3:5) begins list of sexual sins3:5) begins list of sexual sins

““Secede from the unholy unions of power and Secede from the unholy unions of power and money, genius and war, outer space and inner money, genius and war, outer space and inner vacuity, that distort your lives.vacuity, that distort your lives.”” (p. 160)(p. 160)

Why does list of sexual sins end with greed Why does list of sexual sins end with greed (=idolatry)?(=idolatry)?

CovetousnessCovetousnessIssues of power & controlIssues of power & control““Consumption of the other personConsumption of the other person””

Sexual sins Sexual sins Broken trustBroken trustBroken relationshipsBroken relationshipsBroken communityBroken community

Sexuality & Col. 3:1Sexuality & Col. 3:1--1717IndustialIndustial SexualitySexuality

All aspects of life can be All aspects of life can be commodifiedcommodified

Promotes instant Promotes instant gratificationgratification

““No strings attachedNo strings attached””

Covetousness & competitionCovetousness & competition

UtilitarianUtilitarian

Corporate controlCorporate control

Consumption of disposable Consumption of disposable peoplepeople

Christian SexualityChristian Sexuality

Trust & care for othersTrust & care for others

Promotes patience & the Promotes patience & the practice of lovepractice of love

CommitmentCommitment

Trust, Trust, ““intimate selfintimate self--givinggiving””

AffectionAffection

Personal risk & responsibilityPersonal risk & responsibility

Enduring enjoymentEnduring enjoyment

Subverting Industrial SexualitySubverting Industrial Sexuality

““There is no word more offensive to a There is no word more offensive to a culture driven by unlimited economic culture driven by unlimited economic growth than the word growth than the word enoughenough..”” (p. 61)(p. 61)

PaulPaul’’s list of sexual sins culminating in an s list of sexual sins culminating in an economic sin warns us that the sexual economic sin warns us that the sexual brokenness of our society is rooted in our brokenness of our society is rooted in our economic structureseconomic structures

Our real problem isnOur real problem isn’’t sex, itt sex, it’’s idolatrys idolatry

The Problem of IdolatryThe Problem of Idolatry““In biblical perspective, human beings are In biblical perspective, human beings are

constitutively, structurally imageconstitutively, structurally image--bearers. bearers. ……human human beings are created in such a way that they invariably beings are created in such a way that they invariably root their lives in an root their lives in an ultimacyultimacy that is authoritative, that is authoritative, grounding and directive of all that they dogrounding and directive of all that they do…….Created in .Created in the image of God, we can do nothing other than seek a the image of God, we can do nothing other than seek a God (or god) to serve and image in the totality of our God (or god) to serve and image in the totality of our life, especially in our stewardship of the rest of creation. life, especially in our stewardship of the rest of creation. If we turn away from our covenanting Creator,If we turn away from our covenanting Creator,……we we will find something in the creation to serve as our god, will find something in the creation to serve as our god, something to which we give ultimate allegiancesomething to which we give ultimate allegiance…….Once .Once humans relinquish their calling to image the Creator in humans relinquish their calling to image the Creator in covenantal faithfulness and give their hearts to false covenantal faithfulness and give their hearts to false images, alien gods, it is inevitable that their lives will images, alien gods, it is inevitable that their lives will be deformed in the image of the idol.be deformed in the image of the idol.”” (p. 163)(p. 163)

Why Put to Death Whatever is Earthly?Why Put to Death Whatever is Earthly?

It is idolatrousIt is idolatrous

It will kill usIt will kill us

It breaks the relationship we have with It breaks the relationship we have with Jesus who has given us life through his Jesus who has given us life through his deathdeath

It distorts the image that God intends us to It distorts the image that God intends us to bearbear

Fruit of ViolenceFruit of Violence

The same greed & idolatry that breed The same greed & idolatry that breed sexual sin sexual sin violenceviolence

Notice how Paul follows his list of sexual Notice how Paul follows his list of sexual and economic sins with a list of sins and economic sins with a list of sins involving violent language (Col. 3:5involving violent language (Col. 3:5--10)10)

Consider how the corporate language of Consider how the corporate language of our culture uses a language of violence our culture uses a language of violence and dominationand domination

The Christian Alternative: Col. 3:9The Christian Alternative: Col. 3:9--1717Kingdom of GodKingdom of God

““Being renewed in Being renewed in knowledge according to knowledge according to the the imageimage of its creatorof its creator””(Col. 3:10)(Col. 3:10)

““Being renewed in Being renewed in knowledgeknowledge”” (Col. 3:10)(Col. 3:10)

““Christ is all and in allChrist is all and in all””(Col. 3:11)(Col. 3:11)

The EmpireThe Empire

IdolatryIdolatry

Violence & estrangementViolence & estrangement

Divisiveness & Divisiveness & marginalizationmarginalization

An Alternative EthicAn Alternative EthicRenewal of knowledge affects Renewal of knowledge affects

Our identityOur identityOur perception of GodOur perception of GodOur perception of the stories of Jesus and IsraelOur perception of the stories of Jesus and IsraelTransforms our imagination so that we live differentlyTransforms our imagination so that we live differently

The praxis of the kingdomThe praxis of the kingdomCompassionCompassionKindnessKindnessMeeknessMeeknessHumilityHumilityWisdomWisdomForgivenessForgivenessLoveLoveThankfulnessThankfulnessWorshipWorship

The Alternative WordThe Alternative Word

““The community is called on to allow The community is called on to allow the word of Christ to dwell in them richly the word of Christ to dwell in them richly because the impoverished word of the because the impoverished word of the empire is pervasive. The teaching empire is pervasive. The teaching ministry of this community, then is a ministry of this community, then is a matter of life and death. Dwell in this matter of life and death. Dwell in this word of Christ, so that the words of death word of Christ, so that the words of death dondon’’t destroy you!t destroy you!”” (p. 176)(p. 176)

The Alternative LordThe Alternative Lord

““By singing songs of praise to God, By singing songs of praise to God, we proclaim the source of ultimate we proclaim the source of ultimate sovereignty in the world. By singing the sovereignty in the world. By singing the poem of Colossians 1:15poem of Colossians 1:15--20, the early 20, the early church subversively announced that church subversively announced that Christ, not Caesar, is Lord. By singing Christ, not Caesar, is Lord. By singing that song today, we proclaim that that song today, we proclaim that ChristChrist——not the global market, not the not the global market, not the president of the United States, not president of the United States, not Microsoft, not military mightMicrosoft, not military might——is Lord of is Lord of our lives.our lives.”” (p. 177)(p. 177)

Toward An Ethic of Community (p. 178)Toward An Ethic of Community (p. 178)

How to evaluate our actions in light of How to evaluate our actions in light of PaulPaul’’s letter to Colossians:s letter to Colossians:

““Is this cultural action, this communal Is this cultural action, this communal decision, this political policy or ecological decision, this political policy or ecological practice, this artistic product or technological practice, this artistic product or technological development lifedevelopment life--giving or not?giving or not?””

““Is it the kind of thing that bears good fruit in Is it the kind of thing that bears good fruit in our lives?our lives?””

““Would it make sense to a woman about to Would it make sense to a woman about to bring vulnerable new life into the world?bring vulnerable new life into the world?””

Embodied loveEmbodied love

Col. 3:9Col. 3:9--17 & Political Actions17 & Political Actions

If we participated in political action If we participated in political action ““clothedclothed”” in the way that Paul commends in the way that Paul commends to the Colossians, what might it look like?to the Colossians, what might it look like?

HumilityHumility dictates that we recognize that it dictates that we recognize that it is Christ who saves the worldis Christ who saves the world

MeeknessMeekness would shape a policy that views would shape a policy that views creation as a gift, not merely a resource to creation as a gift, not merely a resource to be exploitedbe exploited

PatiencePatience allows us to work over a lifetime allows us to work over a lifetime for all future generationsfor all future generations

Col. 3:9Col. 3:9--17 & Political Actions17 & Political ActionsForgivenessForgiveness has the potential to transform has the potential to transform international conflict, penal reform, race international conflict, penal reform, race relations & our interactions with poor nations relations & our interactions with poor nations who are deeply in debtwho are deeply in debt““LoveLove takes on political shape in justice. Justice takes on political shape in justice. Justice as the political face of love is never impartial as the political face of love is never impartial but is always biased. In the kind of biblical but is always biased. In the kind of biblical faith that occasions Paulfaith that occasions Paul’’s understanding of s understanding of love, justice is always suspicious of the love, justice is always suspicious of the powerful and biased toward the powerless. powerful and biased toward the powerless. Justice is first and foremost directed toward the Justice is first and foremost directed toward the orphan, widow and stranger precisely because orphan, widow and stranger precisely because these people lack the economic and political these people lack the economic and political power to defend themselves.power to defend themselves.”” (p. 182)(p. 182)

Col. 3:9Col. 3:9--17 & Political Actions17 & Political Actions

PeacemakingPeacemaking means that we will advocate means that we will advocate not merely for the absence of war, but for not merely for the absence of war, but for the welfare and best interests of allthe welfare and best interests of all

If we worship the Prince of Peace we cannot If we worship the Prince of Peace we cannot advocate waradvocate war

Word of ChristWord of Christ will be the standard for will be the standard for wisdomwisdom

GratitudeGratitude allows us to say, allows us to say, ““We have We have enoughenough””

Our ultimate allegiance is to ChristOur ultimate allegiance is to Christ

What Does Paul Really Say About What Does Paul Really Say About Governing Authorities?Governing Authorities?

Romans 13:1Romans 13:1--7 in light of Acts 16:167 in light of Acts 16:16--4040Notice how often certain words appear in RomansNotice how often certain words appear in Romans

TerrorTerror

FearFear

WrathWrath

Context within RomansContext within RomansRom. 12:1Rom. 12:1--2 2 –– Paul appeals Paul appeals ““Do not be conformed to this Do not be conformed to this worldworld””

Rom. 12:9Rom. 12:9--21 21 –– Romans live in the midst of persecutionRomans live in the midst of persecution

Rom. 13:8 Rom. 13:8 –– Followed by call to Followed by call to ““Owe no one anything, Owe no one anything, except to love one anotherexcept to love one another””

What Does Paul Really Say About What Does Paul Really Say About Governing Authorities?Governing Authorities?

Look at situation in ActsLook at situation in ActsPaul & Silas are imprisoned because they had cut into the Paul & Silas are imprisoned because they had cut into the profits of a slave ownerprofits of a slave ownerThey are accused of advocating illegal customsThey are accused of advocating illegal customsThey are stripped of their clothes, beaten, flogged & then They are stripped of their clothes, beaten, flogged & then secured in stockssecured in stocksDuring their worship an earthquake provides the During their worship an earthquake provides the opportunity for them to witness to their jaileropportunity for them to witness to their jailerIn the morning, the magistrates send police to release Paul In the morning, the magistrates send police to release Paul & Silas& SilasBut Paul calls them to task But Paul calls them to task –– ““They have beaten us in They have beaten us in public, public, uncondemneduncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and , men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.take us out themselves.””The authorities come, apologize & ask them to leaveThe authorities come, apologize & ask them to leave

What Does Paul Really Say About What Does Paul Really Say About Governing Authorities?Governing Authorities?

The authority of the rulers is derived from The authority of the rulers is derived from God aloneGod alone

““The state has no authority to do evil.The state has no authority to do evil.”” (p. 185)(p. 185)

Goal is to live our lives in accordance with Goal is to live our lives in accordance with the words of Christthe words of Christ

Christ alone is responsible for the Christ alone is responsible for the transformation of this worldtransformation of this world

Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider

Should Christians invest in companies Should Christians invest in companies that use child labor? Slave labor? Poor that use child labor? Slave labor? Poor working conditions?working conditions?

How should we produce, acquire & How should we produce, acquire & consume our food?consume our food?

How should we approach our How should we approach our transportation needs?transportation needs?

Closing Prayer: Revise our takingClosing Prayer: Revise our taking

(Walter (Walter BreuggemannBreuggemann, , Awed to Heaven, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth,Rooted in Earth, p. 154)p. 154)

BibliographyBibliographyBackground Clipart. Microsoft Office Online. Background Clipart. Microsoft Office Online. http://http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?loffice.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lcc=en=en--usus (16 Jan. 2005)(16 Jan. 2005)

BrueggemannBrueggemann, Walter(2003). , Walter(2003). Awed to Heaven, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in EarthRooted in Earth. Minneapolis: Augsburg . Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress.Fortress.

Walsh, Brian J. & Walsh, Brian J. & KeesmaatKeesmaat, Sylvia C. (2004). , Sylvia C. (2004). Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire. Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire. Downers Grove, IL: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsityInterVarsity PressPress